During the release process, you will learn that your vehicle was impounded, and towed at your expense to a Law Enforcement authorized garage, at a cost of about five dollars a day for storage, and a towing charge of about forty dollars. If a friend, relative or attorney hasn’t come to meet you upon release, you’re going to have to telephone for a taxi cab, and stand the expense of the ride. Perhaps it might be the very same cab, you might have used instead of your vehicle to begin with—a rather sad irony if it were true.
Be prepared for payment of the impound fees, otherwise your vehicle will remain at the garage until you settle the bill. Perhaps the best thing to do upon release, even if you do have the garage fees, is to go home immediately. Your driving may be more impaired when you get out of jail than when you were arrested. Lack of sleep, mental fatigue, anxiety, hunger, frustration, shock, trauma and depression effect the driving condition. Consider too, you smell worse now than when the arresting officer first greeted you and became aware of alcohol on your breath. No doubt about it—mouthwash, toothpaste, nourishment and rest should be your first priority, as well as a hot bath and thoughtful introspection.

You will now be the not so proud owner of a “Notice to Appear” in court, which has been handed to you upon release. This first appearance is for an “arraignment” of the charge, which simply means your opportunity to plead either guilty or not guilty to the charge or charges. The date will be set for approximately ten days to two weeks from the time of release.